Keep Your Family Safe by Cleaning Smoke and CO Detectors

The worst sound a smoke or carbon monoxide detector can make is none at all. It's Daylight Savings Day, which means it's time to replace the batteries in your detectors, but I urge you to spend a little extra time to also test and clean every smoke and carbon monoxide detector in your home. Dust and cobwebs can accumulate around these lifesavers, decreasing their sensitivity and negatively affecting their performance.

More From Good Housekeeping

Start by removing the alarms from the wall or ceiling. Using your vacuum cleaner's soft brush attachment, clean in and around the alarm openings, especially around the sensors. Every ten years, you should replace the alarms themselves -- as they age, they operate less efficiently.

Once your detectors are clean, walk through the house, moving paper goods, curtains, and other flammable materials away from electrical outlets and unplugging overloaded ones to eliminate the risk of a fire. For additional information on keeping your family safe, check out our investigation Are Your Kids Sleeping in Fire-Safe Clothing.